"the voice of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire cricket" in association with
Pure Cricket, - 'supplying cricket equipment to the professional amateur'
Pure Cricket, - 'supplying cricket equipment to the professional amateur'
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"the voice of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire cricket" in association with Pure Cricket, - 'supplying cricket equipment to the professional amateur' |
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Scothern the Long Eaton hero A trail blazing 76 n.o. by former Kimberley star, Brett Scothern gave Long Eaton a four wicket win over Thoresby Colliery at Woods Lane , Calverton in the Champion of Champions final on Saturday. Scothern came to the crease with his side in big trouble at 81 for 3 and it was a superb partnership between him and the left handed Andy Edge (64) which turned the game completely on its head. This pair put on 102 for the fourth wicket and when Edge was dismissed the game was firmly in Long Eaton’s grasp and although they were to lose two more wickets the result was never really in much doubt as the 220 target was reached with three overs to spare. The idyllic setting of Calverton was the perfect choice for this annual match between the champions of the Bassetlaw League and their counterparts from the South Nottinghamshire Cricket League and when Long Eaton won the toss they rather surprisingly invited Thoresby to bat. Knowing that the light comes in rather quickly at this time of the year, Long Eaton certainly took a chance but as it happened there was no cause for alarm. Martin Cheshire and Nigel Burkitt got the Thoresby innings away quite successfully adding 62 for the first wicket with the only blemish being a reluctance to take some quick singles which looked to be quite safe and was to cost them dear later on. Cheshire was first to go for 25 when he misjudged a pull to short mid-wicket and was caught by Tim Taylor off Craig Mellors, and for a few overs afterwards with Farook Aziz joining Burkitt the score dried up dramatically. Both players then began to produce some fine shots but this time of adjustment proved to be a vital factor later on. Just when Burkitt was beginning to look really set he was caught on the mid-wicket fence by Craig Langton for 42 with Mellors again being the successful bowler with the score on 92. The introduction of David Irvine really did ‘up the anti’, and the young Zimbabwean realising the need for quick runs quickly put bat to ball and the rate accelerated fast. Irvine played some delightful shots before he was third out at 128 caught at long on by Brett Scothern off the bowling of Dean Simnett for a brisk 21. This brought Steve Willis to the crease and as far as Thoresby were concerned this was absolutely what the ‘doctor ordered’ as he bludgeoned the Long Eaton attack to all parts of the ground in quick succession. However the Long Eaton ground fielding was excellent, and Aziz apart from an occasional foray struggled to pierce it and realising this they managed to keep Willis off strike for long periods which certainly was an excellent ploy. Aziz was finally out for 43 caught by Ian Hopkins off the bowling of Andy Edge with the score on 197 and worse was to follow with Willis perishing in the search for quick runs, caught by Dean Simnett off the bowling of Mark Harrison for 48 with the total on 203. Willis was without question the star of the innings with some monumental blows too and over the boundary and his 48 runs came from just 29 balls received which just about says all it needs to. A last over flurry by Naeem Ahmed (15 n.o.) saw the final total reach 220 for 5 which looked to be quite useful, but frankly it could and should have been nearer the 250 mark. Craig Mellors was the most productive bowler for Long Eaton with 2 for 43 whilst Andy Edge, Mark Harrison and Dean Simnett picked up a wicket each. One interesting fact was that Paul Anderton a slow left armer bowled superbly to only concede 29 runs from his nine overs, whilst Brett Scothern went for 57 runs from five rather expensive overs, but he more than made up for that later. Long Eaton got away to an awful start in their reply as David Irvine snared Ian Hopkins for just two runs courtesy of a fabulous running and diving catch by Richard Hope with only 11 runs on the board. The left handed Andrew Edge and Mark Hollingsworth occasionally lived dangerously but they moved the score along at the right pace until on 76 the latter skied Brian Woods to the grateful Martin Cheshire who gleefully accepted the catch. Worse was to follow for Long Eaton when only five runs later Usman Abid was caught by Ben Marson off Steve Willis, and Thoresby were at this stage dreaming of further glory to add to what has been a very successful season for them. It was not to be however as Edge and Brett Scothern then produced the best partnership of the afternoon with some audacious strokes to all parts of the ground. Scothern in particular was extremely severe on anything too full or short and put it away to the fence with total disdain. He also had his moments of luck with two top edges that went miles in the air and dropped to nobody in particular but when anyone bats as he did it is quite acceptable to say he deserved his luck. After adding 102, Edge was finally out for 64 bowled by Naeem Ahmed and he had played the perfect anchor role and foil to Scothern. At no time did he let the grass grow under his feet as he nudged singles nd smacked the occasional boundary and his innings cannot be valued enough. When Tim Taylor was caught by Dave Irvine again off Ahmed with the score on 200, Thoresby probably though they still had a glimmer of hope but Scothern was not going to let them off the hook even though another wicket that of Mark Harrison was claimed by Ahmed with Nigel Burkitt claiming the catch at the wicket. Two thumping fours by new batsman Craig Langton finally saw Long Eaton to victory on 224 for 6 with the hero of the hour Scothern being unbeaten on 76. He deservedly picked up the man of the match trophy for what had been a fine and very exciting innings in a well contested match between two excellent sides. Naeem Ahmed with 3 for 46 was the pick of the Thoresby attack whilst David Irvine, Brian Woods and Steve Willis picked up a wicket each. The awards ceremony took place in front of the pavilion and everyone who attended was of the same mind that they had witnessed a very good game of cricket. This brings the curtain down on another season and Thoresby Colliery and Long Eaton will next term be competing in the Nottinghamshire Premier League. One sour note to finish on was that a Thoresby spokesman told me with some justification at the end of the match that the side were disappointed that not a single member of the Bassetlaw Cricket League management committee could take the time to attend the fixture. He said ‘ We are proud to represent the Bassetlaw League but it seems we are like pariahs and lepers to them’. He certainly had a point when the South Nottinghamshire officials were there in force and their was also representation from the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Premier League. The only connection to the Bassetlaw League was yours truly and quite frankly fellows this was appalling. I know Richard Martin was away on holiday but there is more than him who is capable of representing the league isn’t there. Shame on you gentlemen for your indifference! Scorecard Thoresby Colliery M. Cheshire ct T. Taylor by C. Mellors …………….. 25 Extras: 26 (Wides 14, Leg Byes 12) Total……………………………………………. 220 for 5 Fall of Wickets: 1/62; 2/92; 3/128; 4/197 5/203. Bowling: A. Edge 9-1-15-1, P. Anderton 9-1-29-0, C. Mellors 9-1-43-2, D. Simnett 4-0-31-1, Long Eaton I. Hopkins ct R. Hope b D. Irvine ……………………... 2 Extras: 38 (Wides 20, No Balls. 3, Byes 5, Leg Byes 10) Total……………………..……….………………224 for 6 Fall of Wickets: 1/11; 2 /76; 3/81; 4/183; 5/200; 6/215. Bowling: Naeem Ahmed 9-1-46-3, D. Irvine 9-2-28-1, B. Woods 7-0-25-1, S. Willis 8-0-53-1, Long Eaton won by four wickets 
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